Arvind Kejriwal put on trial on charges of defamation

New Delhi, June 6: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal was on Friday put on trial by a Delhi court on charges of defamation on a complaint filed against him by BJP leader Nitin Gadkari.

Metropolitan Magistrate Gomati Manocha framed the notice under Section 251 of the CrPC (dealing with issuance of summons in such complaints) against Kejriwal and fixed the matter for recording of evidence of Gadkari and his witnesses on August 2.

The court framed the charge after Kejriwal, former Delhi Chief Minister, refused to heed to the magistrate's suggestion to amicably resolve the case filed against him by Gadkari, even after the Union Minister indicated that if the AAP leader was ready to withdraw his alleged defamatory statement he would drop his complaint.

Charges framed against Arvind Kejriwal under Section 499 and Section 500 of IPC

"That on January 30, 2014, you made and published imputations/statements against the complainant Nitin Gadkari in the media stating that he is a corrupt politician and that people should see whether they should vote," the magistrate said in the order.

The court, however, allowed the plea of Kejriwal seeking exemption from personal appearance.

After the court framed the notice, Kejriwal pleaded not guilty of the offence and claimed trial. The court, in the morning session today, had advised Kejriwal to bury the hatchet and amicably settle the issue with Gadkari.